3 Tests Every Business Partner Should Pass

When your startup is in its infancy, you will be spending countless hours on the phone, emailing, and staying up late trying to get it off the ground. If you have a business partner, that person can either make or break your progress depending on how well you choose someone who will work by your side.

It’s imperative that you really consider these three points below to help you choose the best possible partner to help you launch your startup. Life as an entrepreneur can be fragile at times, so you need a co-captain who has proven they can push through when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

1. The Spouse Test. Your chances of success are much higher if you choose someone who has the qualities that complement your own. Much like you would choose (or have chosen) a spouse. A person who is detail-oriented and very specific about best practices will pair well with someone who is a master networker or brainstormer. When you choose this way, the division of responsibilities won’t be such a blurred attempt at accomplishing a task since it will be clear who should handle what.

2. The Houseguest Test. It goes without saying that you will be spending a lot of time with your business partner. Startups require relentless attention and late nights. If you can’t imagine putting up with this person as a houseguest for more than one night, chances are those personality conflicts will get in the way of working closely together. Best to choose someone who you can picture moving into your home indefinitely without any foreseeable issues.

3. The Friend Test. Choose someone who is a friend, but not your best friend. A working relationship is different than a social relationship. Work lets you see how the other hits deadlines, pitches ideas, and sells products. And when disagreements happen on the job, they aren’t loaded with the emotional baggage that comes with a long-term friendship. So try to look for someone outside your social circle. Before jumping in head first into a startup, try partnering on a smaller project to assess how well you work together.

Who of you have taken these points into consideration when choosing someone to work with? Did you find that it made your startup easier to launch? We’d love to hear your stories – leave us a comment!